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0. E. SEYMOUR. GRIPPING MECHANISM FOR WIRE NAILING MAGHINES. No. 364,777.

Patented June 14, 1887..

v 0 IJ7INYIENTORI WITNESSES:

. BY 7 Y 01 6- M Q I ATTORNEYSI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLIVER E. SEYMOUROF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE W'IRE GRIP FASTENING COMPANY, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

. GRIPPING MECHANISM FOR WIRE-NAILING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,777, dated June 14,- 1887.

Application filed September 10, 1584. Serial No. 142.679. (No model.)

To all whom it may-concern.

Be it known that I, OLIVER E. SEYMOUR,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gripping Mechanism for WireNa-iling Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention'relates to wire-nailing ma- I by which the wire is forced: downward into the material to be fastened? x I To this end .myinvention'consists in combining with the vertically-reciprocating head and wire-carrying spindle a pair of grippers with actuating mechanism for positively advancing and receding the same at proper intervals, and regulating devices for controlling their action, and in certain other details of construction, all as hereinafter more fully set forth. I

In the drawings illustrating my invention, attached to and forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical axial section of so much of the vert-ically-reciprocating head of a wire-nailing machine as embodies my improvements; Fig. 2, a plan section taken in the plane a: w of Fig. 1; Fig.3, a plan section taken in theplane y y of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a plan section taken in the plane 2 z of Fig. 1; .Fig. 5, a plan view of the eccentric collar; Fig. 6, a detached view of the adjustable stop, and Fig. 7 a detached view'of one of the liningguides.

The machine to which my invention is applied consists, essentially, of a supportingframe on which are mounted, with suitable driving mechanism, a vertically-reciprocating head embracing and moving upon a hollow spindle or wire-carrier provided with grippers to engage the fastening-wire,and a horn or support for the stock. These parts are common in machines of this class, and I have therefore not thought it necessary to exhibit them in the drawings or describe them herein, except so far as to show clearly my improvement.

Referring now to the drawings, A designates the annular or working head, and B the spindle or wirecarrier, the latter being of cylindrical form fitted loosely within the former and carrying the wire within its hollow axis. I construct the spindle with vertical slots .9 8, opening from opposite sides into its hollow axis for the reception and play of the grippers G, which are arranged to move radially to ward and from the center of the spindle,

guided between'the vertical side walls of the slots 8, and also to move vertically in relation to the spindle within the slots, as hereinafter set forth. To the lower end of the head A a collar or annular sleeve, 0, is secured by side cleats, c c, engaging a projecting flange, 0', of the collar. The inner opening of the collar is curved eccentrically on each side in such manner that the rotation of the spindle carrying the grippers causes the eccentric inner surface of the collar to bear against and advance the grippers within the spindle uniformly toward each other. Their receding movement is accomplished by extending the upper portion of the gripper rearward and providing such extension wit-ha tongue, 25, projecting downward beyondamarginal curb, d, surrounding the eccentric aperture at the upper surface of the collar, said curb acting as a cam engaging the tongue t and withdrawing the grippers G from the center of the spindle.

In the operation of the machine the action of the grippers is effected by the partial rotation of the spindle B synchronously with the vertical movement of the head A, carrying the grippers and their surrounding collar, the spindle remaining vertically stationary. Thus when the working-head is at its highest limit of movement a partial rotation of the spindle closes the grippers inward upon the wire w, in which position they remain during the downward movement of the working-head,

and at the lower limit of its moyement are re- The machine to which my improvements are in practice applied is designed to operate wire having two opposite plane surfaces, the intervening surfaces being curved and corrugated or threaded perpendicularly to the axis. The grippers act upon the corrugated surfaces, and to prevent undue wear I surface the opposite sides Ofthe axial opening in the spindle B with steel or other hard metal bars a e, secured in suitable recesses by dowel-pins, and ad nsting-screwsf maybe provided at conveuientpoints of the spindle to take up any lost motion and regulate the friction upon the wire. As a means of regulating the clamping force of the grippers, I provide an adjustable stop or abutment piece, 9, projecting below the working-head, to which it is securedinto a re cess formed in the flange c of the collar 0. The stopis arranged with a horizontal slot, through which its holding screw is inserted, allowing a lateral adjustment with reference to the limits of the flange-recess. By means of this stop when in the rotation of the spindle the grippers have closed sufliciently, as determined by the adjustment of the stop, the lat tcr strikes the flange at the end of the recess, and in the further rotation of the spindle the collar G is carried with it without further ti ght ening the grippers against the wire.

Although I have described herein a collar having doubie eccentric inner surfaces as used with two grippers of uniform dimensions, a collar having a single eccentric curve might be employed, the grippers in such case being properly proportioned thereto. It will also be obvious that three grippers could be used, the spindle being provided with suitable slots to receive them.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a nailing-machine for boot and shoe work, the working-head, the radially-slotted spindle arranged within it, and the grippers arranged in the slot of the said spindle, com bined with means, substantially as described, whereby the said grippers are moved positively toward and from the wire, substantially as described.

2. in a wire-nailing machine for boots and shoes, in combination with the working-head,

marginal curb parallel to the inner surface of the collar, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OLIVER E. SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

Powm. CROSLEY, HUGH .MOKENZIE. 

